Srinagar, Apr 07: People’s Conference (PC) Chairman and MLA Handwara, Sajad Lone on Monday accused the ruling party National Conference (NC) of double standards and political theatrics over the Waqf Bill and the restoration of statehood.
Lone questioned the sincerity of NC’s opposition to the contentious Waqf Bill, alleging the party was more interested in stalling statehood resolutions than genuinely resisting the legislation. “Three resolutions seeking restoration of statehood lapsed today,” Lone said, drawing a parallel with the 2013 episode when a resolution on Afzal Guru lapsed amid chaos engineered by the NC’s then-ally Congress.
Targeting NC’s legislative approach, the PC Chief criticised their failure to utilise appropriate parliamentary procedures. “Let me tell my friends in NC, an adjournment motion is a censure against the government. You cannot bring it on the Waqf Bill,” he clarified, adding that the correct tool would have been a resolution.
In a pointed remark, he questioned the NC’s inaction against its own Speaker who disallowed their adjournment motion. “If this isn’t theatre, why is NC not bringing a no-confidence motion against its own Speaker?” he asked.
Highlighting what he called “the most audacious snub to Muslims all across the country”, the MLA Handwara said, “The CM of this only Muslim-majority province in India is seen in the company of a Union Minister who presented this bill in Parliament.” He referred to the recent visuals of NC Chief Dr Farooq Abdullah and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah walking with Union Minister Kiran Rijiju, the man behind the Waqf Bill.
“Was this song and dance about Waqf or about stalling statehood?” Lone asked, accusing NC of misleading the people while quietly allowing key statehood-related motions to lapse.
Reinforcing the value of public discourse, Lone said, “We can have a discussion. There’s no ban. People want to talk, and they have every right to express their views.”
